Whichever OS you are running, be it MS Windows or Linux, your Hard Drive could be working itself to death by performing anywhere between 4 – 150 cycles every 15 minutes. Here is some information of how to test your machine for this hard drive life-shortening issue in Ubuntu Linux (Gutsy and Hardy), as well as MS Windows (Towards end of post):

There are two main fixes for Linux (Ubuntu), and here are the differences between the two:

FIX 1…
This fix stops the hard drive head from parking altogether, weather you are on AC or Battery power!